Bill-file case



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M. Po'sz.

Bill-Pile Case.

NO. 226,349.. Patented April 6,1880.

- WITNESSES INVgTOR @Jf I 7% a;

(/17 v BY vaLW/ ATTORNEYS 3 ShetsSheet 3.

A) M. POSZ. 0

I/ Bill-Pile Case. I No. 226,349. Patented April 6,1880. r

WITNESSES: %\ITOR:

ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS, PNDTO-LITNQGRAPNER. WASHINGTON, D c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL POSZ, OF SHELBYVILLE, INDIANA.

BILL-FILE CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 226,349, dated April 6, 1880.

- Application filed December 27, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MICHAEL POSZ, of Shelbyville, in the county of Shelby and State of Indiana, have invented a new and Improved Bill-File Case, of which the following is a specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bill-file case. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation on line :0 as, Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional elevation on line 3 y, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional elevation on line 2 2, Fig. 3.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The invention consists in the bill and letter file case provided with mechanism connecting with a treadle, as hereinafter described.

Immediately above the base A of the billfile case are the pigeon-holes B, for holding books and papers, and above them, in regular order, thetwo drawers 0, designed for the same purpose; the hinged writing shelf or desk D, which, when turned down for use, is supported by the drawers 0, that are drawn out for the purpose; the pigeon-holes E, for holding papers behind the desk D; the folding index tables or shelves F, consisting of folding slates a, set within hinged frames, lettered and numbered, as shown at b and in an apartment, Gr, forming the top of the case, a letter and bill file, H, consisting of movable shelves that are numbered or lettered on their front edges, as shown at o.

Fixed in the front of the apartment G, and on either side th ereof, are the two vertical rods d d, on which move the sliding blocks f f, through which pass the thumb-screws g g. In the bottom of the apartment G, and immediately beneath the movable shelves comprising the letter and bill file H, are spiral springs I, whose purpose is to hold the said shelves and their contents pressed together upward.

To the bearer or lower shelf is attached a cord, K, which passes down through the case to its base A, wherein it passes over an antifriction roller, h, to an adjusting screw-rod, L, which is fixed longitudinally in the free end of the lever M, and by means of this screwrod L the said cord K may be slackened or drawn taut, as desired, on turning the nut c on the end of said screw-rod. This lever or treadle M is pivoted on the bottom-of the case,

as shown at 70, and extends in front through a vertical slot, l, made in the base A, as shown, within reach of the'foot of the operator. By pressure upon the free end of this lever or treadle M the shelves of the letter and bill fileH are pulled down, so that letters and bills, &c., maybe laid upon and between them; and for facilitating the introduction or removal of letters, bills, 8120., upon or from any particular shelf, the shelves above may be retained or held up by turning a thumb-screw, 9, against the edge of that shelf which is next above the one which is to be used. In order to hold the shelves in this position, the lever M is pushed aside and engaged in the notch M, which is formed at the side of the slot 1.

Should this bill-file be used in a railroad or express office, when the agent receives a waybill from, say, Albany, New York, he assigns such way-bill to the shelf marked with the letter A, and places the name Albany, New York, on the index-table F. Should, however, that same agent receive a way-bill from, say, Auburn, New York, then he takes shelf marked No. 1 and inserts it directly under the shelf marked with the letter A, which shelf No. 1 is then called shelf A 1, and so recorded on the index.

This rule governs the operations of the file with oneexception, which is as follows: Should the instrument to be filed be a bill of lading, invoice, or letter, then the name of the sender and the place whence sent must be recorded on the index.

On the front of the bill-file case is a door, N, closing over the pigeon-holes B, drawer O, and shelf or desk D when the latter is closed.

Placed on the right of the bill-file H, and directly above the wash-basin, is the card-rack O, which consists of a number of upright strips, n, of wood, fastened to a board, and having small notches cut diagonally in them for the reception of cards, &c.

Entering into an opening made in the left side of the case, and sliding from left to right, is the bulletin-board P, which has a surface of slate or slate paper, as shown. This bulletinboard P is to be used for recording the arrival or departure of trains, dispatches, 85c.

Immediately below the bulletin-board, and movable in the same manner from one side to the other of the case of the bill-file, is the hatrack Q, which consists of a recessed case, '0, holding movable books 0, which, when the case is drawn out, may be swung outward to hang a hat or coat upon. In the rear of the bill-file ease and in its base A is a drawer, R, that may be used for any desired purpose.

The toilet arrangements consist of a washbasin, R, fixed in a recess in the right of the case and below the card-rack O; of a hinged cover, S, that closes over the said basin and serves as a table; of a water-tank, '1, set in rear ofthe basin, and having faucetp, fordrawing the water from it, and plug q, for closing the openingthrough which water is introduced; of a drawer, U, for holding toilet articles; of

MICHAEL POSZ.

Witnesses:

RICHARD H. SHRALL, ANDERSON RHOADS. 

